Clinical application of heparin-coated perfusion equipment with special emphasis on patients refusing homologous transfusions

Clinical application of heparin-coated cardiopulmonary bypass equipment during perfusion with low systemic heparinization is reported with special emphasis on patients refusing any transfusion of homologous blood or blood products. Using the described technique, coronary artery revascularization was successfully performed in three Jehovah's witnesses. During perfusion, the activated clotting time (ACT) was maintained above 180 seconds. Prebypass haematocrit was 38±3% and dropped to 22±2% during cardiopulmonary bypass in complete haemodilution. However, the haematocrit was 28±1 % at 24 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass and 32±1 % after seven days. Hence, cardiopulmonary bypass with low systemic heparinization may further reduce bypass induced morbidity and improve the final outcome in selected patients.